Resetting mechanism for counters



May 6, 1958 H. N. BLISS ETAL RESETTING MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1954 M S o U 60 N LR R V vW N Na N V v 2 Mm f w 2 w 9 mm M L Y M May 6, 1958 H. N. BLISS ETAL RESETTING MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2, 1954 INVENTORS HARVEY N BL/SS BY HAROLD B. VPOOM I AT OPNEYS y 6, 1958 H. N. BLISS ETAL 2,833,477

RESETTING MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS Filed July 2, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR5 HARVEY BL/SS HAROLD 15*,v VROOM ATTORNEYS United States Patent RESETTING MECHANISM FOR COUNTERS Harvey N. Bliss, Windsor, and Harold B. Vroom, Simsbury, Conn., assignors to Veeder-Root Incorporated, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 2, 1954, Serial No. 441,056

17 Claims. (Cl. 235-444) The present invention relates to registers or counters and more particularly to improved resetting means for registers or counters. The invention is particularly applicable to resetting means for counters or registers embodied in dispensing apparatus such as gasoline pumps.

The present invention is directed to a semiautomatic type of resetting mechanism using spring means for performing the actual resetting of the register. The aim of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for manually loading the spring means prior to the resetting operation which is constructed and arranged so that the force required to be applied by the operator is of reason able magnitude, even when applied through a small operating distance or movement and so that the movements required to actuate the spring-loading mechanism may be combined or incorporated with the operating movements normally present in a dispensing apparatus such as, for example, turning on and off the motor of a gasoline pump.

Other objects will he in part obvious, and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the-features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side view of a gasoline dispensing apparatus in which the mechanism of the present invention has been embodied and showing the manually operated connections;

Figure 2 is a front view of the structure shown in Figure 1 except that the front panel has been removed to show the interior mechanism;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the resetting mechanism in the position when the register has been reset and before the pump motor is turned on;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 with the moving parts in the position during a dispensing operation;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figures 3 and 4 with the parts in the position when the pump motor is turned off, but before the register has been reset;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side view of the manually operated connections showing a modification of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures 1 and 2 thereof, the mechanism of the present invention has been shown embodied in a typical gasoline dispensing apparatus which is contained in an upright housing 10. In the interior of the housing 10 is a. register 12 and a so-called variator or speed change mechanism 14 of a type now available commercially. As illustrated, the register 12 has a set of number wheels 16 for indicating the cost of the gasoline dispensed, a second set of number wheels 18 for indicating the volume of the gasoline dispensed and a third set of number wheels 20 which indicate the price per gallon of the gasoline dispensed. Similar sets of number wheels (not shown in the drawings) are disposed at the opposite end of the register.

Turning now to Figures 3-6 of the drawings, the particular register 12, shown in the drawings by way of example, is adapted to be reset to zero by rotating the reset shafts 20 and 22. This is accomplished by means of the pinions 21 and 23 secured to the ends of the reset shafts 20 and 22 respectively and both engaging a centrally located gear 24 hereinafter referred to as the main resetting gear.

An explanation or disclosure of the details of the operation and construction of the register 12 are not required in order to understand the mechanism of the present invention since the register 12 is merely exemplary and the mechanism may be applied to any register having one or more reset shafts which are turned in a given direction to reset the register to zero.

As shown in Figures 3-6, the main reset gear 24 is rotatably mounted on a hub 25 which is rotatably supported, for convenience, on a center shaft 26 of the register. The outer end of the shaft 26 has fixed thereto a coupling 28 for receiving one end of a connecting shaft 30 which is journaled at its other end in a frame member 31 (see Figures 1, 2 and 7). Pinned to the connecting shaft 30 is a lever 32 which has attached to its outer end a connecting rod 33. The other end of the connecting rod 33 is engaged with the end of a bell crank lever 34 which is fixed to a stub shaft 36 extending through the side plate 11 of the housing 19 and having mounted on its outer end the operating handle 38. The arrangement thus far described is such that when the handle is moved from the vertical position shown in Figure l in a counterclockwise direction to a horizontal position, a turning movement of approximately the coupling 28 on the center shaft 26 will be rotated in a clockwise direction. In the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, a 90 turning of coupling 28 is not required so the levers 32 and 34 are proportioned to cause a lesser rotation of coupling 28 of the order of approximately 70. Conversely, when the handle is returned to the vertical position, the coupling 28 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to original position.

As shown in the drawing, the bell crank lever 34 may be provided with an arcuate slot 35 for receiving the end of a connecting rod 39 which may be attached at its other end to a switch which controls the pump motor (neither the switch nor pump motor being shown in the drawings). Thus the final turning movement of the handle 38 in opposite direction may be utilized to energize and de-energize the pump motor of the dispensing apparatus.

The coupling 28 has fixed thereto a plate 4% which is referred to hereinafter as the drive plate which drive plate rotates with the coupling 28. Behind the drive plate id is a disk 42 hereinafter referred to as the control disk which is fixed on the hub 25 of the main reset gear The control disk 42 is mounted so that it can freely rotate relative to both the main reset gear 24 and the drive plate 40.

The control disk 42 carries on its front face an actuating pawl 44 pivoted at 45 and biased in a clockwise direction by a spring 46. The control disk 42 also carries a drive pawl 48 on its rear face, the pawl 48 being pivoted at 49 and biased in a clockwise direction by the spring 50. The actuating pawl 44 is thus located in the plane of the drive plate 40 for cooperation therewith and the drive pawl 48 is mounted in a plane for cooperation with a ratchet plate 52 which in the specific embodiment shown is made integral with the main reset gear 24 so as to rotate therewith.

Cooperating with the control disk 42 and the drive plate is a first reset spring 54 which in the embodiment shown in the drawing consists of a coil spring extending about the periphery of the hub 28 and having one end looped about a pin on the drive plate 4%) and having the other end engaging against a pin 56 mounted on an car 57 of the control disk 42. The normal action of the reset spring 54 is to urge the drive plate 46 in a counterclockwise direction and to urge the control disk 2 in a clockwise direction.

Also attached to the pin 56 on the control disk 42 is a second reset spring in the form of a spiral spring anchored at its other end on the pin 61 fixed to the side plate 13 of the register 12. The second reset spring 68, of course, urges the control disk 42 in a clockwise direction, i. e., in the same direction as it is urged by the first reset spring 54. Also attached to the control disk 42 is the shaft 62 of a dashpot 63 which is anchored on the side plate 13 of the register. The purpose of the dashpot 63 is to control the rapidity of movement of control disk 42 in a clockwise direction.

To explain the operation of the resetting mechanism, it is best to start with the mechanism in the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings which is the condition of the mechanism when the register has been reset and the pump motor is turned off. In this condition, the operating handle 38 is vertically disposed as shown in Figure l of the drawings. Assuming that it is desired to initiate a dis pensing operation, the operating handle 38 is turned in a counterclockwise direction to the horizontal position, i. e., a turning movement of approximately During the time that the operating handle 38 is being moved from the vertical to the horizontal position, it is turning the coupling 28 in a clockwise direction through the couplings previously described. When this occurs, the parts of the mechanism move to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings at which time the nose of the actuating pawl 44 falls into engagement with a shoulder 43 on the control disk 42. This, of course, loads the first reset spring 54. The control disk 42 is prevented from turning with the drive plate 40 during this operation because the drive pawl 48 is engaged with the ratchet plate 52 and the ratchet plate 52, in turn, is held by a locking pawl 7t pivotally mounted on the side plate 13 and biased in a clockwise direction by spring 71.

At the termination of the dispensing operation, the operator will, of course, turn the handle 38 to shut off the pump motor thus returning the handle to the vertical position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and, in so doing, the operator turns the coupling 28 and drive plate 49 in a counterclockwise direction. When the drive plate 40 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction while the nose of the drive pawl 44 is engaged with the shoulder i 43, it will, of course, rotate the control disk 42 along with it in the counterclockwise direction thus loading the sec ond reset spring 60. This counterclockwise movement of the control disk 42 is not prevented by the pawl 48 since it merely ratchets over the ratchet plate 52. At the completion of this movement, the parts have assumed the position shown in Figure 5. The drive plate 40 and control disk 42 although biased by the spring 54 and 60 will not rotate because of the latching pawl 76 which is pivoted on the side plate 13 and which is urged into engagement with the drive plate 40 by means of a spring, 77. The drive plate 40 has a first notch 78 which establishes a point of no return which is to say that, if the operator moves the drive plate 40 sufiiciently to engage the latching pawl 76 in the notch 78, he cannot turn the drive plate 40 in the opposite direction and the only movement possible is to complete the counterclockwise rotation of the drive plate 40 until the nose 74 of the pawl 76 falls into the second notch 80. In the preferred embodiment shown in the invention, the second notch 80 is formed with a :1: interfere with the release, but at the same time will pre vent the pawl 78 from being cammed out inadvertenly due to the pressure of the first reset spring 54. It will be noted that in this position of the parts as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the locking pawl 78 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by means of a cam surface 72 on the control disk 42 which engages against a flange 73 on the locking pawl 70. The rise of the cam 72 is suflicient to cam the locking pawl 70 far enough to free the ratcheting plate 52 for clockwise movement, but not enough to clear the leading edge of the notches of the ratchet plate so that the locking pawl 70 will still prevent reverse turning of the ratchet plate 52.

At the end of the dispensing operation as just described the pump motor is turned off and it is impossible for the operator to again turn on the pump motor because of the connection of the handle 38 to the drive plate 40 which in turn is prevented from rotating by the latching pawl 76. Accordingly, the only action permitted the operator of the mechanism is to reset the register, and this is accomplished by disengaging the drive pawl 44. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the drive pawl 44 is conveniently disengaged by means of a spring-biased push button or plunger 99 extending outwardly through the pump casing and having its inner end in engagement with a V-shaped lever 91 pivotally mounted at its other end on a bracket 92 which is supported by the frame member 31. The apex of the lever 91 is fastened by means of a connecting rod 93 to the outer end of a lever 94 which is fixed to a shaft 95 received in the rotatable coupling 96 to which is fixed a plate 97 biased in a counterclockwise direction by spring 98 and having a spring-biased dog 99 on its outer extremity. The operation of these linkages is such that when the push button or plunger 90 is pressed inwardly by the operator, it pivots the coupling 96 and hence the plate 97 in a clockwise direction so that the dog 99 will engage the tail of the drive pawl 44 and pivot the pawl 44 out of engagement with the shoulder 43. Immediately upon disengagement of pawl 44 with shoulder 43, the control disk 42 is free to rotate in a clockwise direction under the influence of springs 54 and 60. During this resulting clockwise movement of the control disk 42, the pawl 48 being in engagement with the ratchet plate 52 drives the plate 52 in a clockwise direction. Since the ratchet plate 52 is fixed to the main reset gear 24, the result is resetting of the register. The speed of movement of the parts in response to the force of springs 54 and 6G is, of course, controlled by the dashpot 63 and the movement continues until the locking pawl 70 falls into the succeeding notch of the ratchet plate 52. By this time, of course, the cam surface 72 has moved from beneath the flange '73 so as to permit the locking pawl 70 to function as a stop. It is realized, of course, that in the specific embodiment the resetting movement of the control disk 42 and ratchet plate 52 is only approximately 60, but it will be apparent that this is a matter of choice and in any event, the desired amount of turning of the reset shafts 20 and 2?. may be provided by a proper selection of the size of the main reset gear 24 and the pinions 21 and 23. in the specific embodiment shown in the drawings, for example. the gear ratio is such that the reset shafts 20 and 22 are turned through approximately At the completion of the resetting operation, the parts are returned to the position shown in Figure 3, which was the position first described. In this position of the parts, the latching pawl 76 is moved out of engagement with the notch 80 by reason of the cam surface 72 which engages a flange 75 on the latching pawl 76. This frees the drive plate 40 for rotation and permits the operator to turn the operating handle 38 to again turn on the pump motor.

In the modified embodiment shown in Figure 7 of the drawing, an auxiliary reset spring 100 is utilized in connection with the linkage between the operating handle 38 and the coupling 28. In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 7, the spring 100 is connected, for convenience, between the lever 32 and a suitable anchor1tl2 on the housing or frame of the dispenser so as to bias the lever 32 in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, the spring 100 is loaded whenever the handle 38 is turned in a counterclockwise direction to turn on the motor switch and energy thus stored in the spring 100 is available to assist the operator in turning the handle in the reverse direction to load the main spring reset 60.

p The important feature of the resetting mechanism just described is that various combinations of the three reset springs 54, 60 and 100 may be employed to obtain the desired operating force and to cause the loading of the springs to be accomplished by a turning movement of operating handle 38 in either direction and to balance the load to render the mechanism easier to operate. For example, in the most simple arrangement of the resetting mechanism, the spring 60 or spring 54 may be utilized alone. If the spring 60 is utilized alone, loading takes place only When the operating handle 38 is turned in a direction which in the specific embodiment causes the motor to be turned off, and conversely, ifthe spring 54 is used alone, the spring is loaded when the operating handle 38 is turned in the opposite direction causing the motor to be turned on. Accordingly, only one of the springs 60 or 54 might be selected if it is desired to load the resetting mechanism by turning movement of the handle 38 in only one direction, which direction would be determined by the specific spring selected. However, having in mind that only a small operating handle turning through a relatively small angle may be present and that it is desirable to place as little burden on the operator as possible, particularly where a heavy reset spring is used, it is preferred to use the combination of springs 60 and 54 or springs 60 and 100.

. When the spring 60 and spring 54 are utilized, it will be understood that the two springs cooperate in resetting the register but they are loaded sequentially in sequential movements of the operating handle. On the other hand, if the springs 60 and 100 are employed, only the spring 60 does the resetting, spring 60 being loaded when the pump motor is turned off. However, spring 100 is connected so that energy is stored therein when the pump motor is turned on, and this energy is available to assist the operator in turning off the pump motor and loading the spring 60. Thus the net effect in either arrangement is to substantially reduce the amount of force which otherwise would have to be provided when the pump motor is turned off.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described mounted for oscillating movement, a member mounted for oscillating movement relative to the handle, a spring extending between the handle and member whereby movement of the handle in one direction loads the spring, a releasable one-way drive between the handle and member whereby the spring is maintained in loaded condition during movement of the handle in the opposite direction, and a one-way drive between the member and reset shaft whereby release of the first named one-way drive will cause the member to turn the reset shaft in a resetting direction.

2. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising a rotatable member, means forming a one-way drive between the rotatable member and the reset shaft to rotate the reset shaft when the member is rotated in a resetting direction, an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, a spring operatively connected at one end to the rotatable member and at the other end to the handle, and means forming a one-way drive between the rotatable member and the handle to permit the handle to turn relative to the rotatable member when the handle is turned in a resetting direction to load the spring and to rotate the rotatable member with the handle when the handle is turned in the opposite direction to maintain the spring in loaded condition.

3.. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising a spring, means forming a driving connection between the spring and reset shaft to turn the shaft in a resetting direction, an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, means forming a connection between the handle and spring to load the spring when the handle is turned in one direction, and an auxiliary spring operatively connected to the handle which is loaded when the handle is moved in the opposite direction.

4. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a register having a rotatable reset shaft, an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, a spring operatively connected at one end to the reset shaft for turning the shaft in a resetting direction, means forming a connection between the other end of the spring and the handle for loading the spring when the handle is oscillated, means operatively connected to the handle for actuating a pump motor switch, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch, and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

5. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a register having a rotatable reset shaft, a rotatable member, means form ing a one-way drive between the rotatable member and the reset shaft to rotate the reset shaft when the member is rotated in a resetting direction, an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, a spring operatively connected at one end to the rotatable member and at the other end to the handle, means forming a one-way drive between the rotatable member and the handle to permit the handle to turn relative to the rotatable member when the handle is turned in a resetting direction to load the spring and to rotate the rotatable member with thehandle when the handle is turned in the opposite direction to maintain the spring in loaded condition, means operatively connected to the handle for actuating a pump motor switch, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch, and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

6. In a liquid dispensing mechanism including a pump motor and a register having a rotatable reset shaft, the combination comprising an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, means connected to the handle for closing a pump motor switch when the handle is turned in one direction, a spring operatively connected to the reset shaft for rotating the same, means connected to the handle and the spring for loading the spring when the handle is turned to close the switch, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch,

and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

7. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable driving member connected to the handle, a driven member connected to the reset shaft, an intermediate member between the driving and driven members, a one-way drive between the intermediate member and driven member to cause the intermediate member to rotate the driven member when the intermediate member is turned in a resetting direction, a one-way drive between the intermediate member and the driving member to cause the driving member to rotate the intermediate member when the driving member is turned in the opposite direction, and spring means operatively connected to the driving member and intermediate member which is loaded when the driving member is oscillated.

8. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a register provided with a rotatable reset shaft, the combination comprising an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, means connected to the handle for closing a pump motor switch when the handle is turned in one direction, a spring operatively connected to the reset shaft for rotating the same, means connected to the handle and the spring for loading the spring when the handle is turned in said one direction, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch, and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

9. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a register provided with a rotatable reset shaft, the combination comprising an operating handle mounted for oscillating movement, means connected to the handle for actuating a pump motor switch when the handle is oscillated, a spring operatively connected to the reset shaft for rotating the same, means operatively connected to the handle and spring for loading the spring when the handle is turned in one direction, a second spring connected to the handle for biasing the handle in said one direction which is loaded when the handle is turned in the opposite direction, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch, and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

10. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable drive plate connected to the handle, a

driven plate connected to the reset shaft, a rotatable control plate disposed between the drive plate and driven plate, a one-way drive between the control plate and the driven plate to cause the control plate to turn the driven plate when the control plate is turned in a resetting direction, a one-way drive between the control plate and the drive plate to cause the drive plate to turn the control plate when the drive plate is turned in the opposite direction, and a coil spring between the control plate and the drive plate which is loaded when the drive plate is moved relative to the control plate in a resetting direction and unloaded when the control plate is moved relative to the drive plate in a resetting direction.

ll. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable driving member connected to the handle, a driven member connected to the reset shaft, an intermediate member between the driving and driven members, a one-way drive between the intermediate member and driven member to cause the intermediate member to rotate the driven member when the intermediate member is turned in a resetting direction, a one-way drive between the intermediate member and the driving member to cause the driving member to rotate the intermediate member when the driving member is turned in the opposite direction, spring means operatively connected to the intermediate member for urging the intermediate member in a resetting direction and which is loaded when the driving member is turned in one direction, and an auxiliary spring operatively connected to the driving member for urging the driving member in said one direction which is loaded Lil) 0 when the driving member is turned in the opposite directrons.

12. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable drive plate connected to the handle, a driven plate connected to the reset shaft, a rotatable control plate disposed between the drive plate and the driven plate, a one-way drive between the control plate and the driven plate to cause the control plate to turn the driven plate when the control plate is turned in a resetting direction, a one-way drive between the control plate and the drive plate to cause the drive plate to turn the control plate when the drive plate is turned in the opposite direction, a spring connected to the control plate which is loaded when the control plate is turned in said opposite direction, and a spring between the control plate and drive plate which is loaded when the drive plate is rotated relative to the control plate in a resetting direction.

13. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable drive member connected to the handle, a driven member connected to the reset shaft, a rotatable control member between the drive member and driven member, pawl means interconnecting the three members to cause the control member to turn the driven member when the control member is turned in a resetting direction and to cause the drive member to turn the control member when the drive member is turned in the opposite direction, spring means connected to the control member for turning the control member in a resetting direction, an auxiliary spring operatively connected to the handle and the drive member, and manually releasable latch means for holding the control member and driven member in spring loaded position.

14. A resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft comprising an operating handle, a rotatable drive member connected to the handle, a driven member connected to the reset shaft, a rotatable control member between the drive member and driven member, pawl means interconnecting the three members to cause the control member to turn the driven member when the control member is turned in a resetting direction and to cause the drive member to turn the control member when the drive member is turned in the opposite direction, a spring interconnecting the control member and drive member for turning the control member in a resetting direction, and manually releasable latch means for holding the control member and drive member in spring loaded position.

15. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a register provided with a rotatable reset shaft, an operating handle, a rotatable drive member connected to the handle, a driven member connected to the reset shaft, a rotatable control member between the drive member and driven member, pawl means interconnecting the three members to cause the control member to turn the driven member when the control member is turned in a resetting direction and to cause the drive member to turn the control member when the drive member is turned in the opposite direction, a spring interconnecting the control member and drive member for turning the control member in a resetting direction, means operatively connected to the handle for actuating a pump motor switch, a latch holding the handle in position for opening the pump motor switch, and means releasing the latch when the register is reset.

16. In a resetting mechanism for registers of the type having a rotatable reset shaft the combination comprising an operating handle, a rotatable'drive plate connected to the handle, a control plate between the drive plate and reset shaft, a spring interconnecting the control plate and drive plate for turning the control plate in a resetting direction which is loadedby relative turning of the drive plate and control plate, and latching means for the drive plate including a pivoted pawl, said drive plate having a notch for engagement by the pawl formed with a lip on one 10 edge of the notch having an inwardly facing cam surface References Cited in the file of this patent and situated at a greater radial distance from the center of the plate than the other edge of the notch. UNITED STATES PATENTS 17. The mechanism described in claim 16 wherein the 399,080 Retslofi Mar. 5, 1889 pawl has a nose portion for engagement with the notch 5 433,668 Wirth Aug. 5, 1890 having a surface inclined complementarily to the cam 2,059,433 Bradley Nov. 3, 1936 surface of said lip. 

